This Gold Jewellery Looks More Expensive Than It Really Is

Do you ever get hyper-fixated on fashion pieces? It happens all the time for me_, but, usually, it’s a short-lived affair — over before it ever really began. There’s one exception that continues to plague me: Chloé’s Femininities necklace.

A gold pendant of a female figure inspired by ancient fertility goddesses and the Venus de Milo, it's been on my wish list for years now. The problem is, it’s £170 and now only available secondhand on luxury resale sites. So, when I discovered Ottoman Hands — an artisanal British brand that specialises in handcrafted, gold-plated jewellery set with semi-precious gems — I was instantly hooked. Its designs are rich with reference, whether they draw from Greek mythology, pay homage to its Turkish heritage or honour other traditional crafts, like its Afghan-inspired collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, handmade in Kabul. Just look at the name: “Ottoman” nods to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled much of the area where Europe, Asia, and Africa converge from the 14th to the early 20th centuries, while "Hands" honours the brand's slow, hand-crafted process.

Here you’ll find pendants to rival Chloé's, intricately engraved coin earrings, delicate beaded necklaces, and statement rings set with mother of pearl or lapis. Best of all, prices range from just £25 to £230 — perfect for some everyday opulence and maximalism that won’t break the bank.

For such statement pieces, Ottoman Hands is able to maintain an affordable price point — most everything is well under £200. (And if you sign up for the brand's newsletter, you get an extra 10% off your first order.) All of the jewellery pieces (except for the very small components) are made from recycled metals, either 21K gold-plated brass or 18K gold-plated sterling silver (the silver comes from silversmiths in India who melt down old silver into new pieces). Everything else is hand-crafted by artisans based in Istanbul, which means by default most pieces are in limited quantity.

Beyond using recycled materials, Ottoman Hands is also mindful of its carbon footprint. The brand went carbon neutral for all online orders just last year, explaining that it wants to focus on removing, instead of simply offsetting, carbon. "[W]e fund high-impact companies like Running Tide and Remora through the Shopify Sustainability Fund to make a real impact on our Earth," the site states. When it comes to purpose-driven partnerships, Ottoman Hands also supports organisations like Trillion Trees, Work for Good, and Royal Trinity Hospice.

The Ottoman Hands aesthetic teeters on making a statement without being too over the top —  cocktail jewellery minus any of the gaudiness typically associated with the category. The brand offers the ideal amount of bling to elevate a simple white T-shirt or to amp up a night-on-the-town look. (If you'd like further inspiration when it comes to Ottoman Hands' versatility, you can find these antique-inspired pieces frequently on shows like House of the Dragon, Emily in Paris, Sex Education and Just Like That, the Sex and the City spin off.)